Support for Local Community Development and Public Policies

Contributing to economic, educational, and cultural development in host countries around the world where we do business

Toshiba Group contributes to the development of local communities and solution to issues imposed on them through not only our business activities, but also our worldwide corporate citizenship activities. At our manufacturing sites, we have been making efforts to localize management, foster management development, and promote local procurement. We have also contributed to the development of social infrastructure in developing and emerging countries in addition to the development of products that meet the needs of local communities. In an effort to provide support to the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, we are making plans for the restoration and development of local communities in these areas based on local interviews and the analysis of local needs.

Toshiba Group's major support for local community development and public policies (FY2011)

Employment Creation and Local Industry Development

New thermal power generation facility plant in India contributes to job creation and local development

Steam turbine factory in Chennai

A production line operated by local employees

In February 2012, Toshiba JSW Turbine & Generator Pvt. Ltd. in Chennai, India began the integrated production of steam turbine bodies. The company ships products to domestic markets in India as well as markets in emerging countries in Southeast Asia and the Near and Middle East, where the demand for energy is rapidly growing. As part of its efforts to develop a production system managed by local personnel, the company is focusing on the recruitment and training of personnel. It plans to increase the number of local employees, which numbered around 200 in February 2012, to approximately 500 by 2014. To build the factory, the company developed a site measuring 400,000 m2 and constructed roads and sewerage facilities in the surrounding area. The company will further contribute to the development of public infrastructure in the area, including requesting the state government to develop roads from around the factory to the port.

Creating Employment in Vietnam by Establishing a High-efficiency Motor Manufacturing Factory

Production line using locally procured parts

In September 2010, we established Toshiba Industrial Products Asia Co., Ltd. in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam for the purpose of manufacturing high-efficiency industrial motors. We plan to increase the number of local employees to prepare for future expansion of production. Prior to the commencement of production, we dispatched a number of employees from Japan to offer technical guidance to local companies from which we plan to procure precision parts for the motors. Under our ambitious local procurement policy, we will make continuous efforts to increase the local procurement ratio.

• Toshiba Industrial Products Asia Co., Ltd. Marks Official Opening of New Industrial Motor Manufacturing and Sales Base in Vietnam

Support for Promotion of CSR Management

Holding a CSR Symposium for Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in Thailand

Chairman Nishida addressing the symposium

In Thailand, our second largest overseas manufacturing base after China, we held our CSR Symposium Thailand for the first time in November 2010. This symposium was held in response to a request from the Federation of Thai Industries and attended by 250 people including the Deputy Minister of Industry of Thailand and small and medium entrepreneurs.

At the symposium, Atsutoshi Nishida, the Chairman of Toshiba, introduced Toshiba Group's CSR management policy, while the general manager of the CSR Implementation Office highlighted its various CSR activities and the challenges it faces.

Furthermore, through our local subsidiaries in Thailand, we have been conducting various corporate citizenship activities such as mangrove tree-planting events and educational support programs.

Development of Products that Meet Local Needs

Launch of a vacuum cleaner for China

Horsehair broom brush suited to tiled and wooden floors

The VC-B50C vacuum cleaner launched in China

In urban areas of China, brooms and mops are being replaced by vacuum cleaners as a result of the change in aesthetic values and living conditions, including increases in the number of condominiums. Using the catch phrase, “Farewell to the age of brooms,” Toshiba Home Appliances Manufacturing (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. launched a vacuum cleaner for Chinese homes in October 2011. In order to develop the product, the company’s manufacturing, planning, and engineering staff worked together to research customer needs and reflect them in the product design. In order to achieve a reasonable price for the product, the company’s staff also increased the rate of local parts procurement and developed a low-price motor.

Development of LCD TVs for Southeast Asian countries

Toshiba’s Digital Products and Services Company conducts interview surveys on the use and design of LCD TVs in Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, and develops products based on analysis of survey data. The company produces products with specifications and functions that satisfy local needs, such as TV models equipped with batteries to allow access to programs even during a blackout, models with large speakers designed in accordance with customer taste, and 24-inch medium-size models priced in an affordable range.

Contributing to Local Medical Care

Sending doctors and dentists to areas around a factory in the Philippines

Medical examination of local residents by doctors sent by the company

Toshiba Information Equipment (Philippines), Inc. since year 2006 has been providing medical and dental examination services to promote and improve the physical well-being of intended beneficiaries in the nearby community. In addition to pharmaceutical products given free of charge to poor local residents, a nutritious feeding activity was also done for the younger recipients. Over the past years, the company has examined a total of around 6 thousand residents through these services, which are provided twice each year. The company also offers education programs on occupational health and safety and environmental protection to residents as they await their examination.

Supporting the Growth of Future Generations

Supporting social education for elementary and middle school students in a mountainous area in Shikoku

Elementary school children learning the manufacturing process of small light bulbs

Inan Electric Co., Ltd., which manufactures small light bulbs for automobiles, operates its business in a community with a population of around 10,000 people located in a mountainous area in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture. In an effort to support social education for children, the company has invited local elementary students to see the manufacturing process of small light bulbs every year since 1990. Since 2000, the company has also invited middle school students to the workplace to provide hands-on education for three days.

The steady efforts of this company of around 100 employees are an indispensable part of elementary and middle school education in this local community.

Enhancement of the Educational Environment

Donating PCs to Filipino High Schools

PC donation ceremony

To enhance the educational environment in the Philippines, we supported a project promoted by the Ayala Foundation and donating PCs to high schools in the Province of Laguna every year since 2007 to 2010.

In cumulative total, we have donated 440 PCs to 44 schools, which accounts for about 35% of all high schools in Laguna, where Toshiba Information Equipment (Philippines) Inc. is located.

Supporting the Construction of Hope Elementary Schools in China

Children at a Toshiba Hope Elementary School

Toshiba Group companies in China have supported the construction of Toshiba Hope Elementary Schools since 2001.

Since 2005, we have constructed two schools every year. Until now, 19 schools were opened.

Development of Local Industries and Human Resource

Supporting the training of industrial product designers in Thailand in cooperation with JEITA

Designer education session

In September 2011, Toshiba offered a basic course in industrial design in Bangkok in cooperation with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA). The training session was held for the second time following the first session in 2010 as part of efforts to support industrial designer education in Thailand. In this session, designers from the Toshiba head office taught basic skills in product design, including group work for the development of design concepts, individual work, and presentation techniques, to 40 employees working in local companies.

Donating Elevators for Use by Visitors to Himeji Castle during Its Restoration

Elevators that allow visitors to view the restoration process of the main keep from the inside

Himeji Castle, a world cultural heritage in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, is currently undergoing restoration under a three-year project that began in March 2010. Since Himeji Castle is the greatest tourist attraction in the region, it would have been extremely detrimental to the local economy to refuse visitors for such a long period.

To solve this problem, Toshiba Group donated two elevators to Himeji City. These elevators take castle visitors to the main keep, while contributing to creating a barrier-free environment.

• Himeji Castle restoration

Coexistence with Local Communities

Engaging with Local Communities on Environmental Issues

Classes offered at local junior high schools

Since its establishment in 1992, Yokkaichi Operations, our semiconductor manufacturing site, has held an annual meeting with the local municipality. At the meeting, we explain the results obtained from the measurement data on air and water quality emissions from our facilities and also offer tours around the effluent treatment facilities.

In collaboration with the Yokkaichi City Board of Education, we offer classes at junior high schools, where we explain the mechanism and production process of semiconductor products in an attempt to raise children's interest in creative activities involving knowledge of science.

We also provide nearby primary and junior high schools with regular classes on the environment to encourage children to come up with their own ideas and put them into practice.

Moreover, the Yokkaichi Operations publishes a Japanese-English bilingual environment report and also makes it available to the public via its website.

Public Relations with Local Community Residents

Raising environmental awareness of local community residents at a factory in Poland

Providing plastic rubbish bags for cleaning

In addition to energy conservation and other environmental activities within the company, Toshiba Television Central Europe Sp. z o.o. is working in cooperation with local communities to promote various initiatives aimed at raising the environmental awareness of local residents.

The company provides environmental seminars at local elementary schools every year and distributes cotton gloves and plastic rubbish bags that are necessary for cleaning in local communities. In addition, the company also collects unneeded electrical products from employees’ homes in order to raise their awareness of the proper treatment and recycling of waste.